For Donovan Brown, a second-year carpentry apprentice, his profession is more than just a job—it’s a legacy. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a master carpenter he deeply admired, Donovan joined the carpenter’s Union] in September 2023. He quickly hit the ground running, securing a position with Grady and Associates, where he specializes in installing medical support systems in hospitals.
In two years with the company, he’s transitioned from a groundsman to a team lead, running his own jobs with a small crew. “They know me and they trust me,” he explains.
The Union has been a cornerstone of Donovan’s success. “The Union allowed me to be stable and take care of my family,” Donovan reflects. It also opened doors to a wealth of knowledge, teaching him how to navigate the complexities of the construction workplace and collaborate effectively with peers. He believes the challenges he has overcome through the apprenticeship experience have made him a better person, a better worker, and a better coworker.
Donovan is quick to credit the mentors at the Union hall who have guided him. “Those guys have really impacted what I’ve been doing,” he says. “I’m glad to be able to have those guys to keep pushing me and keep me on track.” He’s even had the opportunity to engage in the Union’s political efforts, like going to the state capitol to advocate for legislation.
Looking toward the future, Donovan hopes to connect and work with other carpenters and Union members around the world, and to be there for the next generation of apprentices just as he has been mentored. In the meantime, he will keep building his career in Atlanta and working toward journeying out. When he’s not on the job or doing side carpentry work, Donovan enjoys playing basketball, working out, and spending quality time with his wife, mother, and siblings.
Crystal Moore joined the apprenticeship program in 2019 and recently journeyed out. She has been building her career in carpentry primarily in Georgia. Before joining the union, Crystal worked in an auto manufacturing plant. She knew a desk job wasn’t for her and was drawn to the trades because of her hands-on skills. Now, as a carpenter, she thrives on the diversity of her work, from drywall to ceilings to pouring concrete. This variety is what keeps her engaged and learning on the job.
“There’s always room to grow, to learn,” she says. “And that’s what I like. And it’s never the same job. You always learn something as you move on in the career.”
One of the biggest benefits of being a union member for Crystal is the consistency and job security. Instead of constantly filling out applications, she simply adds her name to the Ready to Work list and waits for a job. Sometimes the job has taken her to different parts of the region and country, including Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas. She loves the opportunity to see new places before returning home. Eventually, she hopes to work in Los Angeles, a place she’s always wanted to visit.
Recently, Crystal visited the training center in Chattanooga to get her forklift recertification. While she’s glad to be done with the classroom portion of her apprenticeship—juggling it with work could be a challenge—she appreciates the ongoing training opportunities the union provides.
As a woman in a male-dominated field, Crystal admits there have been challenges. She often feels like she must prove herself on every new job site, despite her years of experience. However, she believes it’s worth it.
“When they see a woman that’s succeeding as much as a man is, that’s impressive,” she says. “I’d totally recommend a woman to join the union.”
“Being part of the union has been a great experience for me,” she says. “A lot of people help me along the way and I appreciate it. I love the connections that I have, and I love the people that I meet.”
When she’s not at work, Crystal enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and tackling home improvement projects.
Veterans find civilian careers through carpentry program
Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a daunting challenge for many veterans. The skills they honed in the service, while valuable, don’t always translate directly into civilian careers, leaving some feeling uncertain about their future. A unique program is helping veterans bridge that gap, providing a clear path to a stable and rewarding career.
The Military Veterans Program (MVP), a free eight-week course offered in collaboration with United Brotherhood of Carpenters and the Southern District Training Trust Fund, provides transitioning and recently discharged veterans a jumpstart to a new career. The program introduces participants to the fundamentals of carpentry and millwrighting, and serves as a direct entry point into an apprenticeship program. Graduates gain the skills needed to get to work immediately, start earning a good wage, and continue building their expertise as they progress toward becoming journeymen.
The program is offered in two locations in the southern district: Clarksville, Tenn., near Fort Campbell; and Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood. Each year, approximately 75 participants graduate from the program at each site.
Journeyman millwright Esther Freeman has been the instructor for MVP in Clarksville for three years. The recent class was her nineteenth cohort to complete the program. Veterans and active-duty service people have always had a special place in Freeman’s heart. “They’ve seen a lot, done a lot. They have dedication. They are willing to go to a degree that most of the population isn’t willing to in order to get a goal accomplished,” she said. “I have a lot of respect for that.”
Freeman said her work is professionally fulfilling, but also deeply personally rewarding. “I am spoiled to have these students. They are respectful, responsible, attentive. They ask great questions and are curious. The world is their oyster and I get to be a part of supporting their transition to an awesome new career where they have versatility and autonomy.”
Her dream for her students is simple. “I want to see them gainfully employed, happy, and feeling at ease in their life,” she said. When she gets calls from MVP graduates who are doing well, working and enjoying their career in carpentry or millwrighting, it is a real boost for Freeman. “I love to hear from them, because I get to see the fruits of their labor and the fruits of my labor. It’s exactly why I do this program.”
From Culinary Specialist to Millwright
Carlos Morales, an Army culinary specialist for eight years, is set to conclude his military service in October. He saw the MVP as a perfect steppingstone to a new career. “I like to challenge myself, troubleshoot, and fix things,” he said, which is what drew him to the millwright component of the program. He will soon begin his apprenticeship training near Nashville and plans to eventually move to Houston, where he sees a lot of career opportunities.
While the math in the program has been a challenge, Morales says the hands-on nature of the curriculum has made it enjoyable. He had no prior welding experience but has grown to love it. “I knew very little of it and I am now getting better at it,” he shared. Morales credits his instructor, Esther Freeman, for her support. “She recognizes individual skills and helps get skills where they need to be.”
A New Chapter for a Stay-at-Home Dad
Jon Gray, a veteran who served in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), has been a stay-at-home dad for the past six years. He learned about MVP from a friend and, after looking up what a millwright was, quickly fell in love with the trade. He found the welding portion the most challenging, but has excelled in the math and systems-based aspects of the curriculum.
Gray, who is from the Clarksville, Tenn., area, plans to stay there and continue his apprenticeship. He is appreciative of the chance to learn a new skill and begin a new chapter, stating, “I am in love with it. Our teacher has been fantastic.”
An Eye-Opening Opportunity
At 41, Carlos Roman is looking for a new path. Originally from Puerto Rico, he joined the military at 35 and has worked in logistics after a career in retail management. The MVP program has helped him get out of his comfort zone and introduced him to a new, promising career. “For anyone that wants to learn, it’s a great program because it opens your eyes,” he explained. “You can see a new path for your life.”
Roman, a hands-on learner, appreciated the camaraderie and competition of the program. While math has been a struggle, the instructors have been “amazing” at helping him and others improve their skills, particularly in welding. “Most people don’t even know what a millwright is,” he said. “The whole experience has been eye opening.” Roman hopes to move to Florida one day to be closer to family and pursue a career there.
A Global Career as a Millwright
Ethan Bucklew, a veteran from Winfield, Louisiana, is a testament to the opportunities available through MVP. Bucklew participated in the program in Killeen, Texas, in 2019 and then completed his millwright apprenticeship in Texas and Louisiana. He has been in the union for five years and has traveled the world for work.
“The MVP program was a really great jump start,” Bucklew said. “In eight weeks, you come out and they’re ready to hand you a job and get you right to work. It was a pretty smooth transition in my opinion.”
Bucklew, who served in the Army in infantry, scouting, and reconnaissance from 2016 to 2020, now balances his millwright career with his service in the Army National Guard. He noted that the travel required for his job can sometimes conflict with his drill schedule, but the skills he’s gained have led to incredible experiences, including working on an oil company’s turbines in Africa and a defense contract at a military base in Germany. It’s not easy to juggle both of his careers, but it is manageable and rewarding, he said.
The MVP Program: A Path to a Rewarding Career
The UBC Military Veterans Program is a free, eight-week program designed for veterans who are transitioning or have recently been discharged from the military. It provides a valuable alternative to traditional post-military employment by offering a career path in carpentry or millwrighting.
The carpentry track includes skills like drywall, acoustic ceiling, flooring, and finish work, as well as an introduction to industrial crane rigging and powered industrial trucks. The program also includes safety certifications like OSHA 10 and First Aid/CPR/AED training.
To be eligible for the program, veterans must be within 180 days of separation or discharge from the military. While a related military occupational specialty is helpful, it is not required. The program prioritizes a good attitude and a willingness to learn.
Veterans may also get credit for their work experience or other training acquired through their military service, allowing them to skip over some of the apprenticeship coursework and shorten the program.
Nearly 50 job seekers and representatives from four local companies attended a skills showcase and hiring event for construction careers in Atlanta on August 1. The event, called a Combine, gave people interested in construction a chance to get hands-on experience with scaffolding and interior systems, learn about the carpenters apprenticeship program, and meet with companies that have job openings.
The event was held at the Atlanta Training Center, a facility run by the Southern District Training Trust Fund and the Carpenters and Millwrights Union. At this center, union apprentices learn important job skills for various trades.
Jordyn Walker, who currently works in security and has experience with electrical systems, was interested in an apprenticeship in carpentry. She attended the Combine to learn more about getting into a career in interior systems. “My experience today was positive overall. I got to meet with a few contractors, I learned how to do things that I didn’t know before, so it’s a win-win situation,” she said.
During the event, participants worked together to build and take apart scaffolding, measure and cut materials, use screw guns, and handle drywall. This gave them a chance to show their skills and how well they work with others. Potential employers watched and took notes on who they wanted to interview.
About 20 people interviewed for jobs during the event. All attendees were encouraged to join the carpentry or millwright apprenticeship programs to continue developing their skills. Companies at the event included Anning-Johnson, Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI), CR Meyer, and Day and Zimmerman.
Israel Velazquez, an operations administrator with Anning-Johnson Atlanta, said his company was happy to support the Combine. “We hope to have some good candidates come out of this,” he said, adding that finding skilled workers is a constant challenge. His company is currently building data centers in the Atlanta area. “We struggle with manpower. We need the Union to continue to send us good employees. The benefit we see working with the Union is that we get skilled carpenters, and that helps a lot in the field.”
DeWalt, the tool manufacturer, also supported the event and provided door prizes for attendees, including drills and jobsite fans.
More Combine events are being planned across the southern district, including San Antonio and Houston For details on upcoming events as well as photos from the Atlanta Combine, visit www.sdttf.org/combine.
About the Southern District Training Trust Fund
The purpose of the Southern District Training Trust Fund is to “train tomorrow’s craftspeople.” With 28 training centers across 11 states (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida), SDTTF programs are providing debt-free career building opportunities for professionals at all levels. Programs include classroom instruction as well as on-the-job, paid experiences in a variety of crafts, with an emphasis on safety and quality. Curriculum is regularly updated to keep pace with the needs of the industry so that program graduates are prepared to be elite construction professionals and jobsite leaders. Learn more at www.sdttf.org.
Information about our solar work and a Texas paperboard project both Carpenters and Millwrights are working on can be read in the Southern District Spotlight on pages 18 and 19 of the December Carpenter magazine. Click the link and check it out!
By: Jaime Smith, Marketing & Communications Director
December 22, 2023
What do you think of when you hear the word home? It could include comfort, community, a place to rest and recover from the world. For our brave soldiers who are injured in battle, home may not mean the same thing. Community involvement is an important component of our Union. Carpenters are always ready to stand up and give back so all our communities and the people within them can lead happy and healthy lives. That is why our partnership with Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors works so well. When we discovered Sergeant Anesi Tu’ufuli aka “Maverick” was getting a home in the San Antonio area, we jumped at the opportunity to take part.
On December 12, 2023, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors organized a frame signing event as a testament to the success of this collective effort. We are excited to share some highlights from the Frame Signing Event. In the spirit of camaraderie and unity, sponsors, supporters, and friends came together to sign well-wishes on the frame of Maverick’s future home prior to sheetrock installation. Our entire Austin team showed support and provided supplies as well as set-up and took down the event. There was an undeniable sense of hope and gratitude, a poignant reminder of the power of community involvement and the impact we can make when we rally together for a cause.
Mario Vargas, a 20-year Union member of Local 429 and contractor building the home also attended along with his business partner. Vargas started his career with Turner Construction Company and has worked with various companies on a multitude of projects which has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the construction trade. A few years ago, Mario started his own business working on both residential and commercial projects. When he was invited to work on this project, he was very proud to accept.
Maverick’s fortitude in the face of adversity has been a source of inspiration for us all. Despite the challenges that life has thrown at him, he has never lost his fighting spirit. The frame signing event was not just a celebration of a home being built, but a salute to Maverick’s resilience and courage.
We feel privileged to be part of this incredible project in collaboration with Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors. Our continued partnership is testament to our shared mission to support our veterans and provide them with a place they can proudly call home. We look forward to more such collaborative initiatives.
There were many other memorable moments during the frame signing event. We had the opportunity to stand alongside other dedicated supporters of Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors and witness firsthand their passion for giving back to our veterans. It was truly a collaborative effort, with everyone bringing their unique skills and talents to the table.
As we move forward with the construction of Maverick’s home, we carry with us the memories of this significant event, a symbol of unity and compassion. It is a reminder that when we work together towards a common goal, there is nothing that can stop us from making a positive impact in the lives of others. Together, let’s continue to build America and change lives for the better.
